Impact of Organizational Culture on Bullying Behavior in Public Sector Organizations

Organizational culture can significantly influence the prevalence of bullying in workplaces. However, there is a dearth of empirical research that thoroughly investigates the various aspects of organizational culture directly linked to bullying behaviors in public sector organizations. To address this gap, a research study was conducted, interviewing senior-level managers across the Victorian Public Sector (VPS), Australia, aiming to identify the cultural elements contributing to bullying behaviors in their workplaces. Utilizing Schein’s organizational culture framework, this study reveals that hierarchical power distance, bureaucratic control, bullying as a political tactic, inaction against bullying incidents, and leaders’ prerogative are the primary cultural features that foster a negative environment and escalate bullying levels. It is imperative for organizations to recognize and rectify these cultural issues to prevent bullying behaviors and foster a safe and respectful workplace culture.